I'm not a fan of the locking mechanism on the snap on FHLLX80 ratchet . UnLocks faster than it locks and drive me nuts . maybe it's just mine who know.
Rarely see anybody has more snap on ratchets than I do except the snap on truck. Glad to see someone someone appreciates ratchets just tools in general.
I blame my father, dude. got me hooked as a fetus . I appreciate all my tools they all have a story and reason of why they are in my hands . Plus who can hate a great ratchet. Thanks for the awesome comment
@@NDC1115 that’s a lot. I have a few other brands Ezred, crafts man, Milwaukee, dewalts some of them comes with tool kit. I don’t think I’ll buy any more ratchets. Bought Snap-on epiq box with remote control SS power top, I bought snap on water nozzle for $130, bought 1/4,3/8,1/2 inch the tech angle torque wrench with metal body roughly $800-$900 each only because I didn’t like the plastic handle when I was a lil younger. The list goes on. Every shop /dealers I’ve worked at nobody had no more tool than I did, I was proud and took pride in what I do. I never owed Snap-on one penny, everything was paid off upfront, never had to take loan for my tools. I rarely buy tools these days. I’ve seen some of the guys I work with kept buying Snap-on s, Snap-on shirt, Snap-on hat, streamlights, RC cars, gearwrench from snap on truck at much higher price when they can just get them from Amazon. It’s a disease, it’s stupid. I work for myself now, buy most of the tool off Amazon, some of harbor freight stuff are decent as well.
I 100 percent agree with you. Hard handle is what I have. no soft grip here.the on and off is too close to the lock unlock. Its a piece of shit. Hurts worse when you buy it outright off the truck.. I thought it was just me, but indeed it does unlock by itself and when your tightening or loosening. We need a recall. Matco did it right,, although they don't make all of their own tools... their half inch drive version of this works great and as Intended. Snap on... move along. Thanks for sharing this. Again I thought it was me doing it wrong or something wrong.
I've heard several complaints on this ratchet . I thought It was me at first as well . I mentioned something on a mechanics page that I'm apart of on Facebook and alot of people agreed. I prefer hard plastic handles . If that's not an option I go for the comfort grip . I'm in my early 30s and my hands can't do the standard chrome grip anymore. I get terrible cramps where my hands lock up . Thanks for the awesome comment brother keep wrenching and stay safe .
I have that one, have had the locking mech slip a few times, to be honest I don’t use the lock very often. It’s broken loose some stuck ass bolts, so it’s a good ratchet in my book. To each their own of course.
I have the shorter version of that ratchet. I actually quite enjoyed it, I put a thick grease in the locking mechanism so it doesn't move so freely, helps keep it locked or unlocked when you want it to be. I don't know why but mine just happens to be waaaay smoother than other D80 ratchets I've used
I just thought you would like to know that the M in the 71-M actually is "Master Ratchet" not military. I have one and called Snap-On directly to confirm it. Excellent 1/2 drive ratchet.
I could definitely get by with less . I have just collected over the years and hav3 bought ones for certain jobs for different sizes and handle types and things of that nature or maybe I just have a tool buying problem lol .
I got one of these too and was super excited to get it I had my dealer order it for me before they were even out in my area and when I finally got it I do have to admit that I was disappointed! Sounded and looked like a good idea but your right the locking mechanism isn’t so great! I still like the ratchet and use it all the time though almost all my ratchets are flex heads anyways it’s just what I prefer and I really like having the extra long 3/8” drive ratchet too most ratchets that you see that are that long are almost always a 1/2” drive!
I was also excited when first getting it then was disappointed however it work good for a regular ratchet every now and then it tends to lock itself . I do prefer flex heads as well .
Glad to see this I have a locking flex was actually looking to get a new longer one for a specific job I do pretty often can only reach it and from a distance and angle of socket has to be locked in for efficiency of course you can battle a regular flex head to get it done but I’m glad I saw this before jumping on their new locking flex head may look elsewhere or see if I can get the older style which I don’t love but for the one job I need it for I don’t mind the little slide tab on the bar, but we shall see maybe they will make another version in the future
Here's to hoping they make a better design I've heard a lot of mixed thought on this ratchet . Several people letting me know they have this issue as well and some people say it works OK. I've ended up just using it as a regular flex head it sits in the tool box most of the time.
It's decent with out the lock but I've used it a hand full of times and every like 6 turns it flops loose and It's just irritating due to not expecting it to get loose
@Nathan Laffoon he offered to take it back and I thought about it . I told him I'll just keep it as a long flex head and I'm gonna see if I can push it to its breaking point
@Classic Lines Automotive well thats good he would take it back. I have a long ratchet like that but doesn't have a lock I just tighten the bolt on the head and it doesn't flex easy
I have 4 ratchets that I use daily and they’re the only nice ones I have. I have a snapon 1/4 inch flex head that I bought broken for $25 from my buddy, a long 3/8 inch mac flex head that I bought new for $150, a medium length Williams 1/2 inch ratchet that was a gift, and a super long snapon 1/2 inch that I bought broken for $100. My other ones are shorter ones that I’ve gotten hand me down or from garage sales. I like to have just a couple nicer ratchets so that they all get used to their greatest extent.
could you try tightening the hinge screw? atleast it'll be kinda stiffer and not move as much, I like mine a little stiff but not super stiff, just enough I can get a socket on a bolt without taking my other hand and adjusting the head but stiff enough that it won't move around when I start turning the ratchet
Well on this particular ratchet it's the locking mechanism that isn't staying engaged . I usually try to keep the other flexheads that I have adjusted tight
Good to know , I was considering investing in one of these . Now I am not so sure , Especially since they don’t exactly give those things away and I was wondering about the design of the lock being on top like that …..
I will be the first to admit, I’m a snapon junky, but that ratchet was a huge flop. I had it for a short while and ended up trading it in for a Mac tools long handles locking flex head. Their design is much better then the snapon locking. Food for though, that greasy my friends
I’ve had both 3/8 and half inch MAC long handled locking head ratchets and they suck snap them heads off so many times I went to Snapon for both like the lock that’s inside the handle
You got to get the other style of Snap-on locking Flex head, they're much better at staying locked but they're worse at staying flexed. mine seem to want to lock back up.
I will say I bought all the sizes and drives when they came out and I hate them. I hate Matco ratchets, handles, Matco but they do have the locking flex head figured out
Only locking flex head ive liked was a matco. Solid lock and low profile so it didn't snag and come unlocked on me. Both that snap on and the other style I didnt like and would never buy.
I have a matco the locking mechanism is a little tight but then again I guess that's not really a bad thing . My only complaint with the matco is the comfort grip handle not a fan of the design other than that fantastic ratchet
I really thought it was going to be the non lock flex ..I GAVE mine to my neighbors kid as it spent more time in the air after leaving my hand and skipping across the shop than it did doing anything. Couldn't stand that stupid thing. I actually like my new style wobble lock. Hasnt let me down YET. I work for Mack/Volvo so I lean on it HARD . Only had it about 4 months or so , so time will tell I reckon
There is a video on here a Mechanic bought a Matco replacement flex head for $30 and a 24” Harbor fright breaker bar for $30 and he took the Allen head screw out. And installed the Matco replacement flex head and for $60 you have a nice long flex head without breaking the bank account.
I haven't got to that point it just sits in its corner of shame . Now have I wanted to throw absolutely ....now I'm questioning myself have I thrown that ratchet .
Why dude? Snap On has the most powerful locking gears in that ratchet. I suggest you get it warrantied if it is too loose and learn to love it. Love mine and it is just an absolute brute.
Idk mines been working fine for the most part. Only thing I can complain about is I can’t unlock it single handedly. I have to push the head back and forth to get the tension off the lock. Also I keep forgetting what position is locked and unlock (yeah I guess I haven’t used it enough to remember)
Yeah I hate that new design. I have the old design which is better until the last two weeks it’s been driving me nuts my 1/4 N 3/8 keep unlocking on their own. It’s so damn annoying
@@classiclinesautomotive I had Detroit 60s and ISX12 in my fleet. We only work off the ground with motor coaches so the flex gets the angle you need and the drain plugs can be a bitch so you need the length.
Like wow what sockets are you trying to use that they just fall off ? Have you looked into the “Hi-Lock” ratchets and Extensions ? Your issue also sounds like grounds for warranty replacement if the sockets just fall off …..
Does it have any sort of spring pressure on the locking mechanism at all? That's what it seems like, and yeah that is disappointing for a ratchet that costs so much
It doesn't feel like it kinda just rides in a groove and as you run through the swing arc a few time with slight up and down force through natural movement it pops loose .
I hate my matco handle reminds of a dildo but they're lock feels more secure only complaint is it can be a pain to lock and unlock but that thing ain't moving so I'm happy with it .
I haven't had any issues with warranty through snap on but I feel that's on the rep . I'm not a fan of the price of a ratchet now compared to 13 years ago .
@@classiclinesautomotive that may be true or if your a shop that could be y iam an at home mechanic and have 3 tools through snap on and 1 tool from matco I can’t get replaced and the local rep just blew me off guess I don’t put up my house for tools
I've been hearing a lot of noise in the industry about that new locking mechanism really sucking. I don't think anybody likes it. I've got the prior generation and it seems okay. Just used to non locking Flex heads and you just have to grab them a certain way so they don't flop. Anyhow I was wondering what kind of torque those extra long handle ratchets can stand? I always thought that would be pointless if you just tear the guts out of them when you really get to pulling or pushing hard. Seems like everybody's making an extra long version now.
I have an extra long straight ratchet I've had for years and I've had it to where it's starting to bend . The gears in it are still holding up. The long flex heads I haven't had any issues throwing some torque on them .usually if I feel it may snap I just try to get a half in ratchet or impact on it . Not out of fear of breaking the ratchet mainly out of fear for breaking something on my body lol
I really thought this style would be better as their last style had the same problem. You'd unlock the knob and move it over to hold it and the second you bumped it it would click back and lock up the head. I was hoping this new style would be better, oh well. I should stick to a different brand for locking flexs I suppose
I think I need to go on a quest for the best locking flex head now . Do you like the ratchet other wise . My Matcos locking flex head isn't terrible however I hate the handle on it .
Mine did the same fucking thing kept coming unlocked when I didn’t need to so traded it in on the snap on truck and I love snap on ratchets all my ratchets are either Mac or snap on had a mat co ratchet got tired of getting it warrty
This is very true . Might try another one however I've heard through other techs that they have similar issues. With it . I just use it as another flex head .
Yes I did I love poor life choices . I just use it as a flex head . My rep offered to take it back I told him I'll live with it just won't use the lock
@classiclinesautomotive yea I'm not even a mechanic I work in a automotive machine shop so everything I take apart is on a table or a engine stand I really don't need any of the special tools to get places
Yes idk what they were thinking, they’re old locking flex head ratchets were so much better. I’m going to have to resort to eBay to get one I think because I’m pretty sure they’re discontinued on snap-on’s website. Really just a step backwards in my opinion snap-on & whoever’s idea this was should be fired.
